The National Security Space Launch Program is Established by the U.S. Air Force

The U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center’s (SMC) Launch Enterprise Systems Directorate Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program name has been officially changed to the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program.

The 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) directed the name change from EELV to NSSL effective March 1, to reflect consideration of both reusable and expendable launch vehicles future solicitations.

Col. Robert P. Bongiovi, director of the Space and Missile Systems Center’s Launch Enterprise Systems Directorate, is joined by 2nd Lt. Lauren Peterson, youngest officer in the directorate, to mark the creation of the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Program Heritage Center during a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Observing from left to right are retired Air Force Col. Richard W. McKinney (1st EELV Program Director), retired Maj. Gen. Susan K. Mashiko (3rd EELV Program Director, partially obscured), retired Col. Gary N. Henry (7th EELV Program Director) and Dr. Claire Leon (9th EELV Program Director). The EELV program has been replaced by the National Security Space Launch Program, after a name changing ceremony held March 1 at Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, California.

Photo is courtesy of the U.S. Air Force — Van De Ha.

In 1994, the NDAA directed the Department of Defense (DoD) to develop a modernization plan for space launch capabilities. In response, the Air Force initiated the Space Launch Modernization Plan, also known as the Moorman Study, that identified options and cost for the future of space launch. On August 5, 1994, President Clinton signed a National Space Transportation Policy as a partial response to assigning responsibility for expendable launch vehicles to the DoD. The final result was SMC’s EELV program to develop a family of launch vehicles for medium to heavy payloads.

Col. Robert P. Bongiovi, director of the Space and Missile Systems Center’s Launch Enterprise Systems Directorate, is joined by past Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program managers and directors after unveiling the new logo of the National Security Space Launch program. The NSSL program replaces the EELV program after a name changing ceremony held March 1 at Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, California to honor the past, celebrate the present and embrace the future.

The NSSL program is designed to continue to procure affordable National Security Space launch services, maintain assured access to space and ensure mission success with viable domestic launch service providers. The program is driven to provide launch flexibility that meets warfighter needs while leveraging the robust U.S. commercial launch industry, which has grown significantly during the past five to seven years.

Command Comments

Colonel Robert Bongiovi, Director of SMC’s Launch Enterprise Directorate, said that as the NSSL program embarks on a new chapter making launch services more agile and effective for the warfighter, it honors more than 25 years of EELV history — tthe program boasts a remarkable legacy of the successful launches of 75 National Security Space missions, placing more than $50 billion of space warfighting assets on orbit. As NSSL commences, it is focused steadfastly on the future as this is one of the most critical times in the national security space history. The program is committed to 100 percent mission success and providing the most innovative, flexible, and affordable services to meet National Security Space mission needs and maintain U.S. dominance in space.

Air Force Space Command's Space and Missile Systems Center, located at the Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, California, is the U.S. Air Force's center of excellence for acquiring and developing military space systems. Its portfolio includes the global positioning systems, military satellite communications, defense meteorological satellites, space launch and range systems, satellite control networks, space based infrared systems, space situational awareness capabilities, and space superiority.